When our staff visited the 2017 Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show in January, a number of products Texas & U.S. Law Shield Members might enjoy caught our attention. Here are 10 selections of long guns, ammunition, optics, and accessories you may see at our affiliated ranges and gun stores later this year.
CZ-USA The ever-evolving needs of military forces led to the further development of the Bren platform. Whereas the 805 was built to a specific set of predetermined requirements, the Bren 2 took years of input and data from use across the world and put it all together in a smaller, lighter package. A shorter gas system allows for barrel lengths down to 8 inches, with settings for normal use, suppressed use, and adverse conditions. The aluminum receiver is shorter and thinner, shaving weight from the rifle.
Federal Premium With all the focus on compact semi-automatic pistols seemingly small enough to fit in a watch pocket, one of the most trusted and reliable defensive handguns seems to have been almost forgotten. But not by Federal. It has engineered a load, utilizing a 135-grain HST bullet, for the .38 Special that is ideally adapted to the snubnose revolver.
GBW Cartridge Boutique ammunition companies continue to creep up and challenge major brands for innovation and variety. GBW Cartridge out of Venice, Florida, is an example. Their Legend Pro line includes high-performance loads for common defensive handgun cartridges and big bores like the .454 Casull and 460 and 500 S&W. All are loaded with expanding, all-copper bullets. GBW is also offering centerfire rifle cartridges in this line, and they too are loaded with all-copper expanding bullets. Offerings include loads for the .223 Remington, 300 Blackout, and .308 Winchester. (gbwcartridge.com)
Gerber Gerber’s new Center-Drive Multi-Tool offers an innovative Center Axis Tech that aligns the full-size driver in the center of the tool to yield improved torque and rotation, just like a traditional screwdriver. A 30 percent larger outboard blade and one-thumb-opening sliding jaws enhance productivity as well. Until now, no multi-tool has ever offered a full-size driver on the center axis with a standard bit. SRP: $89. (gerbergear.com)
Meprolight The FT Bullseye sight (SRP: $199 to $209, depending on model) is a low-profile micro red-dot-style optic for pistols that combines fiber optics and tritium to provide the illumination needed under all lighting conditions. Available in red or green dot/circle for all Glock models, as well as the Springfield XD and XDM. (themakogroup.com)
Mossberg The Shockwave is an ATF-approved shotgun with a 14-inch barrel and an overall length of only 26 inches. See our related story here. This 12-gauge is built on the 590 action and features a Raptor grip and corncob forend with a strap. With a matte-blue finish and cylinder bore, the 590 Shockwave is a whole lot of function in a defensive-style shotgun. SRP: $455.(mossberg.com)
Polycase For 2017, Polycase has added an array of loads that utilize its copper-polymer injection-molded projectiles. Aficionados of the .357 Magnum now have an 86-grain ARX load at 1,650 fps that generates 520 foot-pounds of energy. If your idea of stopping stuff is to use a .45 Colt, Polycase has a 158-grain ARX load in its Preferred Hunting line for that old cowboy classic. Also, the new RNP Sport Utility line of ammo from Polycase features a round-nose (RN) bullet intended for pinpoint accuracy on steel targets. Offerings include loads for the .380, .38 Special, 9mm Luger, .40 S&W, and .45 Auto. Also of note are the Sport Utility Packs that include 100 rounds of RNP ammo and 20 or 25 rounds of ARX ammo, wrapped up in a neat little bundle. SRP: $57.99 to $79.99 per box. (polycaseammo.com)
Remington For those who like to shoot a lot and spend a little, Remington has expanded its Range Bucket line of ammo to include the .380 Auto, .40 S&W, and .45 Auto cartridges. The .380 Range Bucket will contain 500 rounds (SRP: $202.99), the .40 S&W bucket contains 300 rounds ($113.43), and the .45 bucket holds 200 rounds ($92.54). There is also a new Freedom Bucket containing 180 rounds of 300 Blackout. SRP: $133.73. (remington.com)
Stoeger Three new 12-gauge shotguns make up Stoeger’s new entries for 2017. The M3000 Tactical can be had with either a field or pistol grip with an 18.5-inch barrel. This inertia-driven gun will accept 2¾- or 3-inch shells and has a fixed Cylinder bore. SRP: $599, field stock; $649, pistol-grip stock. (stoegerindustries.com)
Winchester The new SXP Shadow Defender and Shadow Marine Defender pump shotguns feature synthetic pistol-grip stocks with textured gripping surfaces and are supplied with two interchangeable comb pieces. Offered in 20- and 12-gauge, with 3-inch chambers, the alloy receivers are drilled and tapped for bases and rings, and a tactical ribbed forearm offers better control. The Marine Defender features matte hard-chrome plating on the barrel, magazine tube, and slide arms for added resistance to wear and the elements. Barrel length is 18 inches. A Cylinder choke tube is supplied. The Marine Defender retails for $499.99 in 12 gauge and $519.99 in 20 gauge.
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